Author's Notes:

Finally, an update. I hope you'll enjoy it!

Sirius encountered many things in his life. Many of them were dark, hidden just out of sight, waiting for their time to show their worst. They hardened him, prepared him to fight for himself and those he cared about. They forced him to struggle to survive, they made him learn just how bad things could be and how they could happen to anyone. He would even think that he was ready to tackle anything if it meant protecting himself and those he loved. He thought he had seen everything there was.

However, nothing prepared him for the mundane, for something peaceful like having a dinner with a family of his loved one. It felt so out of place, so unusual. It was quite ironic that something as simple as this was an uncharted territory for the former human. In it, he found both excitement and fear, his inner child wishing to explore it more to understand it.

A long time ago, when he loved Anastasia, he hadn't seen her parents more than a couple of times, and he had never interacted with them in any meaningful way. But now, however, he had to be near the parents of Iclyn and, most importantly, talk to them, no matter how difficult it might be for him to do. He knew how to be aggressive, he knew how to stand his ground, and that left him defenseless when it came to something peaceful, a situation when his fighting skills didn't matter and were, in fact, detrimental to what he wanted to achieve. At the very least, he hadn't messed up anything just yet and he hoped he wouldn't. Making a good impression on Iclyn's parents was a key to his future, the future he was sure Iclyn was a part of. If he was going to marry her, he needed to do much more than fight those who wished to harm her.

In Sirius' eyes, Tal and Aliya seemed like a simple couple in their thirties if not a few years under it. Past their young years of passion but yet to enter the years of old, they emitted an atmosphere of love and care, a certain sense of warmth no fire can make. It subtly reminded him of his own family before the death of his father. And even then, the family of Iclyn seemed even happier, more relaxed, perhaps. He didn't know whether they had arguments or not but it seemed like any problems they encountered would be resolved peacefully. After all, arguments weigh down on everyone involved, it was a certain mental weight that piled up until it broke someone.

All of it left a weird feeling in Sirius' head. He knew that fewer and fewer people wanted children back on Earth, at least in the more civilized countries, but ponies seemed like they weren't too worried about raising their foals. Was it the much more peaceful state of Equestria? Was it the better standard of living? For some reason, even the former human began to think about having kids, offsprings of his own. It wasn't an inner desire to procreate, it was something else he couldn't quite understand just yet. Perhaps, it was a desire to show someone this beautiful world, a world where happiness can be achieved? After all, he managed to get his own piece of it, and it changed him entirely. He was no longer the aggressive and hateful self like he was at the time of his death. He managed to become someone better, all thanks to Iclyn and the new world.

However, Sirius still seriously doubted his ability to be a good father. Wouldn't it be strange for him to be one? After all, he was an alien. How would he explain it to his kid or kids? Would he even need to explain it? And if he did tell them, what would they say in response, would they even believe him or would they think that he was playing games or worse, went insane?

"Sirius?" Iclyn waved a hoof in front of his face, making him blink as he broke the line of thought to return to reality.

"Ah, sorry, zoned out..." he apologized, a pink tint of embarrassment appearing on his cheeks. He needed to be there and then, not in his thoughts. "Is, uh, the dinner ready?"

"Yeah," the pegasus nodded, effortlessly hopping off the couch and turning her head to Sirius. "I bet you'll love it."

Soon, the two entered the kitchen, which was coupled with the living room, separated only by a simple curtain. Iclyn led Sirius to a big table, helping him find an appropriate seat. She took one by his side, and the two were finally ready to eat. The former human nervously fidgeted in place, remembering that there was a dining etiquette of sorts, at least there was one when his own family took guests. From what he could recall, the head of the family would start eating first, and that meant his father when he was still alive. Then it would go to his mother, then to himself, and then to the guests. It was a family tradition, and Sirius was sure it was also a part of dining etiquette. However, there were different etiquettes in different countries, and he only had to wait and see what Equestria had in this case.

He looked at the table to distract himself. There was a surprisingly wide assortment of meals, ranging from a simple mix of hay and flowers to a whole cooked fish seasoned with different spices, which surprised Sirius the most. However, he remembered that pegasi, for the most part, liked fish. He wouldn't mind some meat either way, and his stomach rumbled quietly as he inhaled the scent of the food. Questions of food morals aside, he wanted to eat, no doubt about it.

"Go on, take anything you like, Sirius," Aliya said, making a wide gesture with her wings. Then, she picked some things from the table, putting them on her plate. Sirius immediately noticed how she licked her lips, and it wasn't something that was appreciated in a civilized human society. He didn't mind it much, however, preferring to focus on the food, soft rumble in his stomach reminding him of it.

Hesitantly, he reached with his magic and got a piece of fish for himself, a slice of bread, and a few spoonfuls of cut-up vegetables. He carefully put them on his plate and stopped. He looked at Iclyn and saw her getting some food for herself. Once she got all she wanted, the two began to eat. Sirius used his magic to bring the food from the plate to his mouth while Iclyn put her muzzle into the bowl. It was still a strange way of eating to the former human but at least it made sense, seeing that holding cutlery was nearly impossible with hooves.

"So, Sirius, can you tell us how the two of you got together?" Aliya asked with interest after a few minutes of silent eating.

"Well, I..." he suppressed a sudden burp in an effort to prevent embarrassing himself in front of his loved one's family. "I... just... did?" he looked away for a moment, realizing how awkward it sounded, his ears going down slightly. "I, uh... can't really explain."

"Ah, I see," the mare nodded. "What do you like about Iclyn, if I may ask?"

Sirius glanced at the filly, and it seemed she didn't mind such a question. So, he returned to the mother and thought about what he would say next. After all, he didn't know if it was socially acceptable to talk about her visible features and physical beauty, which he found very attractive despite her being an alien to him, certainly far from a human. He knew that it would be best to leave out his alien origins, however. Such information wasn't something to freely spread around as if it was just the color of his fur or his race or other simpler things.

"Well, uh... she's, um..." he blushed, finding it hard to talk about something like this. "Kind, compassionate, and, uh... understanding," he paused, gathering his thoughts. "And... p-probably a few more things I can't figure out how to, uh, say," he let out a silent sigh as he finished.

"Indeed, we often don't know why we love the person we love," Aliya nodded in understanding and smiled brightly. "And that's what's important. No matter how many words you say, your feelings matter more. And if you can't put those feelings into words... then it's truly something great."

Not expecting such words, Sirius was silent for a few moments, searching for something to reply with. However, nothing came to his mind and so he remained awkwardly silent, not knowing what to do next. He already wished to be back home and he would certainly prefer to spend time with Iclyn only. However, he knew he had to get to know her family, to show himself to them, receive their approval. And besides, he was doing it all for Iclyn.

"Sirius... I believe you'll grow up into a fine stallion," Aliya said, breaking his line of thought. "I already see maturity in you. And that's why I believe you're just right for Iclyn."

"I... I appreciate it," Sirius nodded slowly.

"I do mean it," the mare assured. "When I met Tal, he was also pretty shy. But through our combined effort, we became the family we are today. Anything is possible if you put enough work into it, that much I can guarantee."

Once again, the former human nodded, knowing well how things could take quite some effort to be done. After all, he was going through it right now, trying to get Iclyn's parents to accept him. In the future, it would certainly prove to be beneficial for their relationship in the short and long term. If he planned to marry Iclyn and even have kids with her, he'd rather be well prepared for it and receive the approval of those that care about his loved one, those who gave birth to her and raised her well. Without their clear approval and support, his relationship with Iclyn just wouldn't last. It was true that it ultimately came down to the two alone but the family was very important.

Sirius wished he could tell this to his own family. He could only imagine how joyful both his mother and father would be if they learned of this. Their beloved son found love and happiness! It would certainly lift the spirits, and the former human looked to do nothing more than to make his parents happy. Unfortunately, they both were no longer there, leaving him all for himself in the world. And even if they were still alive, how would he tell them? How would he return to his birthplace, the world of Earth? Most importantly, would he even be willing to go that far? It was unknown if he could return to Equestria after such an event, and he wasn't about to take the chances, not when there was so much to leave behind.

"I've heard you're a stallion who knows his way with a sword," Tal said, gaining Sirius' attention. "Have you thought about applying to the position of the Royal Guard? They could use someone like you. I've heard that they pay well, too. Protecting Canterlot and the Princesses is very important and it's not just for any stallion."

"I'm thinking about it," Sirius admitted, nodding. "I do feel like protecting is where my talent lies," he looked at his flank. "I know that I don't have a mark just yet, but... well... I don't want to brag, but I think you've heard of what I did."

"I certainly have," the stallion nodded. "Weren't it for you, Equestria would fall to changelings! I bet you did a better job than the Captain Shining Armor himself, hah," he let out a chuckle. "So, perhaps you have a very bright future there in the Guard. I'd definitely rather see you as the captain and if it were for me to decide, you'd be one already."

"I... really appreciate that," the former human said, surprised by the amount of praise he had just received. He had fought for Iclyn and for his own life but he had no idea it would have such consequences. And so, he must remember that he was a hero to Canterlot and possibly the whole Equestria.

The words of Tal were something else, too. Such a praise showed that he accepted Sirius. Approved his relationship. Most importantly, he was already showing support. This thought made Sirius smile, and the rest of the dinner was spent peacefully and without a worry in the world for him, Iclyn, and her parents.

"I saw you were rather nervous there, Sirius," Iclyn commented as the two walked on their way back home. The sky was dark, and the streets were lit by the lamps, making soft orange light illuminate the surroundings. "You alright?"

"Yeah," Sirius nodded confidently. "Now I know that your parents like me," he smiled. "That's... very good, don't you think?"

"Obviously," she rolled her eyes playfully. "After all, I love you. Did you think the answer would be anything else?"

"Nope, not a doubt about it," the former human let out a soft chuckle, agreeing with his loved one.

"You know..." Iclyn looked at him, a mischievous look on her face. "I like the new cheerful you. It fits you pretty well," she booped him on the muzzle with her hoof, making him giggle spontaneously. "Awww..."

"Mhhh..." Sirius blushed, his face like fire, and he turned away. However, Iclyn gently nudged him, making him return to her to receive a kiss on his lips.

"Just like my mom said... If you put enough effort into something, it will work," the pegasus said, beaming a smile. "Now, let's go. We could have some... fun," she giggled. "If you know what I mean~..."